Have you heard about the Vagus Nerve? It is the one nerve that seems to be gaining lots of popularity, and for good reason.
Cranial Nerve X, the Vagus Nerve, is the longest cranial nerve in your body as it travels from the brain to the large intestine. This is why it is also called the wanderer nerve. This nerve is primarily related to and helps to regulate the parasympathetic nervous system. This system is our rest and digest system. These fibers send information back and forth from your brain to various parts of your body to help coordinate and control their functions, in order to create homeostasis/balance throughout the body.
This nerve exits the skull and travels through your upper cervical vertebra (Atlas) as it makes its way down to innervate other areas in the body. This nerve has both motor and sensory fibers and is known to have the widest distribution of effects throughout the body. Its motor fibers assist in swallowing, gland control, and vocal fold vibration (making sounds). Its sensory fibers assist with maintaining visceral/organ function and taste. Because it innervates and communicates with a lot of our organs, it influences processes like digestion, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, immune system, mood, skin/muscle sensation, speech, taste, mucus and salivary production, and urine output. Because of its close relation to the upper cervical part of your neck, chiropractic adjustments in this area are profoundly beneficial in helping to regulate the parasympathetic nervous system, the vagus nerve, and its functions.
This nerve is so important and is often overworked. It can contribute to a variety of different dysfunctions throughout the body. There are a many different exercises one can engage in to assist in regulating the vagus nerve, but none create profound and long-lasting change like the GammaCore device.
GammaCore is a noninvasive vagus nerve stimulator (nVNS). It creates specific electrical impulses to help stimulate the vagus nerve as it exits through your atlas vertebra and makes its way to the rest of the body. Stimulating this nerve allows it to function optimally and create positive change from your brain to your digestive system and more.
There are numerous studies showing the effectiveness of GammaCore’s nVNS for the treatment of headaches and head pain of all kinds, including migraines. GammaCore has been granted emergency use authorization by the FDA for the treatment of long-haul COVID. The benefits go far beyond. There are numerous studies pending that show the effectiveness of GammaCore nVNS for treating anxiety, PTSD (currently used heavily with veterans), and its beneficial role in helping with autoimmune disorders, Parkinson’s Disease, and concussions.
Our office not only can provide these treatments in office, but after careful evaluation and assessment, we may recommend a device for you to take home so you can continue your vagus nerve therapy at home. For the best results, we recommend chiropractic care in combination with nVNS and at home exercises that target the vagus nerve.
**If you are a veteran, talk to us today about how you can get a free device.**
